Congress leader claims ruling stems from fear over Adani controversy.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of India’s opposition Congress Party, has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of orchestrating his disqualification from parliament to suppress critical questions about the government’s alleged links to billionaire Gautam Adani. Gandhi, 52, lost his parliamentary seat on Friday, just a day after a Gujarat court sentenced him to two years in prison over a 2019 defamation case linked to remarks about Mr Modi’s surname during an election rally.
“I have been disqualified because the prime minister is scared of my next speech,” Gandhi stated on Saturday, adding that Mr Modi was “terrified” of scrutiny over the Adani Group, a conglomerate closely tied to the prime minister. Gandhi alleged that the government facilitated questionable contracts for the Adani Group in India and abroad, demanding accountability for opaque investments involving a Chinese national.
Political Fallout
Gandhi’s disqualification, coming a year before India’s general elections, has galvanized opposition leaders and civil society, who have decried the move as anti-democratic. Congress Party supporters have staged protests across the country, with critics accusing Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misusing central investigative agencies to target opponents.
The ruling BJP dismissed the claims, with senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad insisting Gandhi’s disqualification was unrelated to the Adani controversy and stemmed from his conviction.
Adani Group Scandal
Gandhi has repeatedly demanded a joint parliamentary probe into allegations of stock-price manipulation and fraud involving the Adani Group, highlighted by a report from U.S.-based Hindenburg Research. The group denies wrongdoing, while its founder Gautam Adani has seen his net worth skyrocket by nearly 2,000% since 2014, coinciding with Mr Modi’s tenure.
The case has reignited concerns over India’s democratic institutions and electoral fairness, with opposition parties challenging laws that automatically disqualify convicted MPs. Gandhi, meanwhile, vowed to continue his fight, saying, “My job is to defend the institutions of the country and the voice of the people.”
